The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that the United States carried out air strikes on terrorist locations within the country, following an announcement by US President Donald Trump that American forces had launched operations against Islamic State militants.
In a statement released early Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerian authorities remain actively involved in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to confront the ongoing threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism.
“Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the ministry stated.
According to the ministry, this collaboration resulted in “precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes” carried out in the North West region of the country.
The ministry explained that the cooperation aligns with established international practices and bilateral agreements, and includes intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and other forms of support conducted in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
Nigeria reiterated that its counter-terrorism operations are guided by the priority of protecting civilian lives, preserving national unity, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
The statement stressed that terrorist violence, whether targeted at Christians, Muslims, or other communities, is a direct violation of Nigeria’s core values and a threat to international peace and security.
The government further noted that it continues to work closely with international partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border security threats.
It added that these efforts are complemented by ongoing measures to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that it would continue engaging relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official communication channels.
What you should know
Nigeria has maintained long-standing security cooperation with the United States and other international partners in its fight against terrorism, particularly against groups operating in the North West and North East.
This collaboration often involves intelligence sharing, training, and technical support, and, in certain cases, coordinated military actions.
While the Nigerian government insists that all such operations respect national sovereignty and international law, recent US air strikes have drawn global attention due to their timing and the broader international debate around religious persecution and counter-terrorism strategies in Nigeria.
